MSOE Winter Commencement Feb. 28
| Published: 02/18/2009 |
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More than 35 undergraduate and graduate students in engineering majors, the Rader School of Business and the School of Nursing will receive their bachelor's or master's degrees at MSOE's Winter Commencement, Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Kern Center.
The ceremony will feature a keynote address from Edgar Hotchkin, noted MSOE alumnus from the class of 1951. Steven L. Van Camp of Cascade, Wis. is the class respondent/valedictorian. He will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management degree.
MSOE Winter Commencement
Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m. - noon
Kern Center, 1245 N. Broadway
Speaker/Honorary Degree Recipient
In addition to delivering the keynote address, Hotchkin will receive an Honorary Doctor of Engineering during MSOE's Commencement. Hotchkin is proof that an engineering education prepares an individual for many different paths to a successful career. Raised during the Great Depression, Hotchkin served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1951 he graduated from MSOE with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He then worked with the Navy to help develop the first nuclear submarine. Hotchkin also held engineering positions at Brush Electronics, Clevite Corp., Davies Laboratories, IBM, Midwestern Instrumentals and Bell & Howell.
Hotchkin, who always wanted to live in California, moved to Pasadena with his wife and two sons in 1959. Hotchkin recalled, "During the late 1960s my wife Cathy and I purchased an apartment building and enjoyed the investment. I read a book on obtaining a California real estate license while on vacation, and took the test and got my salesman license. Soon after I passed the brokers exam I decided that my future was in California real estate and I formed a company called Anchor West Financial." Hotchkin purchased mismanaged apartment buildings in local areas he was familiar with, and developed them to their greatest potential. Hotchkin noted, "I always had a strong entrepreneurial leaning and a belief that I could operate a business better than most of my corporate supervisors."
Now retired, Hotchkin enjoys many hobbies including traveling the world with his wife, conducting genealogical research on his branch of the Hotchkin family and woodturning. He is a member of the Glendale Woodturners Guild in California and has hosted educational sessions on woodturning in his workshop.
VIP (Very Influential Person) Awards
The Very Influential Person Awards recognize high school or middle school teachers or other individuals who had a profound impact on influencing or supporting an MSOE student in their pursuit of post-secondary education. These individuals will be recognized at MSOE's Winter Commencement.
VIP Excellence in High School Teaching Awards:
Pam Liegl
Round Lake Senior High School, Round Lake, Ill.
Nominated by: Vance F. Bronson, B.S. in mechanical engineering technology
Michael Schuster
Waterford Union High School, Waterford, Wis.
Nominated by: Brittney L. Christensen, B.S. in industrial engineering
Donna Kalafut
Peshtigo Middle / High School, Peshtigo, Wis.
Nominated by: Kory Weed, B.S. in mechanical engineering
Very Influential Person Award recipient:
Kathryn P. Nichol, M.D.
Columbia St. Mary's Hospital
Nominated by: Thomas J. Rampulla, M.S. in medical informatics